Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-09-16
tricks In POLITICS.
BY HAROLD I. CLEVELAND.

LIN L VL1 l1OOs
BY HAROLD I. CLEVELAND.
PARTI.
aAin't politician?"
That was the question of the Hon.
liz Slocum, as he Sunk back into his
lair
4 student of the faces of politicians
mid not have mistaken Jake Slocum
/ anything else.
Flo was politician in all that the
me implies. His fox-shaped face,
k1telr pointed nose and bloodless lips !;
small, twinkling eye, and thin, gray
cks of hair, all betrayed the calling of
e man.
In dress he wore costume of modest
kttern but stylish cut. Jewelry he
EcAewed save the gold band that gilt
lred on one finger.
Pervading the man was an air of
barseness and gentility. He was so
pen in his manner of approach that
onest men felt the chill Of suspicion
hen in his company.
he was styled Honorable for his serv-
es to the High Taxation party, of
heh he was q leader in Jaco County.
E had distinguished himself during
gslative sessions in the Third House,
lln the art of silencing the voice of
be people he was an adept. With
bee qualifications he possessed also q
acE of sensibility as to right and
rong that gave him o still stronger
lain to the title of politician.
Despite his advantages for arbitra-
M through these experiences, he was
bgar but strong. His power was that
the middleman who acts as the agent
unquestionable transactions between
ems consciences and his Satanic
sjcsty.
He was unloved, but feared most by
s5e who knew him best.
Net as politician he was honored for
unchanging partizanship. Fathers
ght desert their children but Slocum
pndon High Taxation-never.
His party was his religion, his love,
life. Mems opinions changed, new
Inciples of government were favored,
free-holders were forsaking the old
Grimes. Little that mattered to
ccum. His watchword was @My
rty first, then the people,"
Dang it, sir, said Farmer jerks to
n, when you get done with your in
fnal party there will be nothing left
the people, Slocum smiled, looked
rously at the old man and re-
led sententiously, ''My party first"
That was Slocum, politically; morally,
lv rumors had been afoat of his
ply days-of misdeeds more serious
an boyish pranks.
nc had grown up with the prosperity
Jaco County as warped tree -four
les in rich soil. But hedged in as he
IS by suspicion, it had come to pass
at he had assembled the rounds of the
Plltlcal ladder from village constable
city councilman, and thence up until
stood at the threshold of the Legis.
ture.
lie toiled not, neither did he spin,
the finest rainment and the fat of
land were his. On the western
Pfder there was not q man who re-
Wed more from men than he, nor who
We back less.
1t was in this day of his indepen-
nee that Slocum, asked by his party
solve political problem, put the
estlon to three of the members of
at party, if he was not a politician.
vi the trio, Luke Carruth, Sheriff of
60 %, County, answered Eyes"
lhen," continued Slocum. "ef I say
ottty goes free, he does"
NO, Sir, said Carruth, springing to
feet, "Shall I dishonor myself to
70 my party or yours? Put myself
your power, Slocum, SO that ct your
VA may be branded as scoundrel?
u What? To keep me Sheriff of Jaco
unity for the next two years. Ask
le other sacrifice than my honor.
pv5ty shall not go free"
Doh, was Slocum's contemptuous
loinder.
. "a County, lying on the border line
me Northwestern frontier, was in the
soes of political contest. The high
ss'ion faction had been the dominant
KY Tor years. But the times were
pellng for change and the new party
Eo"n as the Freeholders threatened
ga carry the day.
me :, situation was critical for the
IL IN laxationists, and in their distress
y appealed to Jake Slocum to use
r. HoWer for their salvation.
, n,Sen carte blanche, he now at once
aSloned to conference three of the
r vusest men, and among them Sheriff
ection. ' - ~''
assembled, Slocum, his plan matured,
~ ~ unfolded to them:
am trying to scare yer, boys, but
O1methlng amt done pretty quick
party is beaten. It's o bad year
w. and we've to hustle eff we get
,ppe'fcsimmons. The other fellers are
eGcp ppm 'er up, and ST Cade, down to
s.orners, to-day offered to bet his
10, span of mules that we didn't get
f'e office. Now, faint fer me to
Action is my style, and I've